Jax vs. Miami: Downtowns Headed in Opposite Directions?

[Metro Jacksonville]

Jax vs. Miami: Downtowns Headed in Opposite Directions?



Both cities were developed in the era of sunbelt sprawl and both have visions of downtown revitalization. However, one has ambitions of international greatness and the other is still in search of its identity. Today, Metro Jacksonville visits the downtown streets of a Sunbelt city attempting to transform itself into an internationally known walkable community: Miami.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-sep-jax-vs-miami-downtowns-headed-in-opposite-directions

[thelakelander]

Downtown Miami skyline in 1962. Jacksonville's Florida National Bank building (Alfred I. DuPont Building) can be seen in the center. Designed by Marsh & Saxelbye, it looks pretty similar to downtown Jax's Ed Ball Building, which was also built for the Florida National Bank.

http://m6.i.pbase.com/o6/21/571721/1/77183506.Ow84OV7b.1962_AerialDowntownMiami_600.jpg

[thelakelander]

On que with today's story:

How the Skyway's counterpart is a big success in a nearby city

Our Skyway's cousin is the popular one.

When Jacksonville's people mover got federal funding to construct the initial infrastructure, two other cities were also part of the automated people mover revolution: Detroit and Miami.

For as much as Jacksonville's system has languished, Miami's Metromover has flourished.
“It has its role in Downtown in easing mobility in Downtown Miami,” said Karla Damian, a spokeswoman with Miami-Dade Transit.

Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/09/21/how-the-skyways-counterpart-is-a-big-success-in-a.html

[heights unknown]

I lived in south florida from 1994 to 2004 and Miami was booming then; but what I see here is totally sick and ridiculous at the same time. There is just no comparison and these two cities, these days, should never be compared...maybe in the 50's and 60's but not now. Miami has grown in leaps and bounds and is now an international city. Just think, if Miami annexed all of the area around it, even not all of Miami-dade county, there would be well over 2,000,000 people in it, and, it would be come the second or third largest city in the nation. Miami's skyline justifies what it really is...a top tier, world class, international city. As much as I love my Jax, she doesn't know who she is, where she wants to go, she's a wannabe, and has no identity whatsoever. Consolidation, yes, has put Jax on the map, but the skyline, population, etc. does not justify or even show a top tier, world class, international, or even major U.S. city...not dissing Jax so don't beat me up, but let's come right out and call a spade a spade. I am pulling real hard for Jax in every way, shape or form; but until we get rid of these leaders that are weak and have no vision (the new mayor seems to be ok), Jax will never move to the next level.